INTRODUCTION

If you are an international student studying in the United States and seeking an opportunity to work in the USA more on a permanent basis, then this article will surely help you out.

For getting employment in the USA, you need to be aware of the process under which you can build your career.

This is a total guide which will surely help you out to crack down with your journey in building up your career in the USA.

This article provides you with step by step process to succeed in your career. Check it out!

PROCESS

After gaining graduation from School, international students need to change their visa status from F1 Visa to H1B.

They can either apply directly for H1B or can apply for OPT and then for H1B.

Mostly students prefer to apply for OPT before H1B. Applying for OPT before H1B helps an International student in gaining experience in their field of study and meanwhile they can find an employer who can sponsor their H1B Visa.

Although, a student can go for applying of H1B directly as long as they have H1B Sponsoring employer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION

OPT Visa

Optional Practical Training Visa allows a student to get employment in the United States for the time span of 12 months. After graduation, an F1 can apply for their OPT visa that can help them out to gain experience in their major educational area.

BENEFITS

Practical experience can be gained in the major study area.

Can start working once received with EAD Card (Employment Authorization Card)

Can stay and get employment in the USA for 12 months.

Can even apply for 17 months OPT extension if the student is from STEM field.

Can apply for H1B later.

H1B Visa

F1 Visa holders are allowed to apply for their H1B visa after graduation or during OPT.

H1B visa program allows US employers to hire international workers in special occupations.

BENEFITS

Allows getting employment in the United States for Three to Six years of time span.

Helps in gaining theoretical as practical knowledge related to their educational field.

Allows bringing their Spouse and children in the United States for H4 Visa.

Allowed to travel in as out of the United States as long as H1B validity is maintained.

Can apply for their Green card.

PROCESS OF CHANGING VISA STATUS FROM F1 TO H1B

Following are the steps describing the process of changing visa status form F1 to H1B :

TO FIND WITH AN H1B SPONSORING EMPLOYER

You need to get a job offer from an H1B sponsoring Company in order to apply for your H1B Visa, it doesn't matter whether you are applying for H1B right after your F1 or OPT.

The Employer should be in good standing to explain with the USCIS that the worker will be paid 95% of prevailing Wage of that specific occupation and also need to assure with that your employment won't be having any adverse effect on the working of US workers.

FILING OF YOUR H1B PETITION

There is a limitation of approving H1B files in each Fiscal year. Until 65000 H1B files can be approved per Fiscal year holding general category and additional 20000 files for students holding Master's, Doctorate or with higher degrees.

Your Profile will be filed by your employer as a change of status.

For succeeding with approval on your file within the filed Fiscal year you need to file your H1B petition on time.

FIND AN EMPLOYER WHO CAN FILE YOR H1B PETITION

You need to find with an employer who can file your H1B as "CHANGE OF STATUS" on behalf of you within the stated deadline. If you file is approved you will be granted with your H1b status.

Then, you can work on your H1B status from October 1 as stated by USCIS.

CAP-GAP EXTENSION

If you come across a situation under which your F1 Visa status is about to expire and you are still not been approved with your H1B visa, under such situation you can apply for Cap-Gap Extension.

Under this extension, you will be allowed to remain on your F1 visa status while waiting for approval on your H1B Visa status.

If you fail to receive approval on your H1B by the time of 1st October, then you need to leave for your home country.

Then you can apply for your H1B petition from your Home Country.

If it is approved you will be allowed to enter the United States again with your H1B status.

APPLICATION PROCESS

File with a Labor Condition Application with United States Department of Labor.

File with Complete form of I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant worker and with form I-129 H Classification Supplement.

Submit the following documents:

Your basic information.

The offered job from your Visa sponsoring Employer.

Information in detail regarding Your job and its percentage allocation.

Resume copy.

Passport's relevant pages copy.

Your degree's Copy.

All transcripts.

If courses Certificates.

Sponsoring Employers Catalogs and Brochures.

Information related to the achievement of awards in your occupational field.

Form I-20 Copy.

Current Copies of I-90 Card.

Copy of your EAD Card if applicable.

CONCLUSION

The above steps are the best to follow in order to get with succeeding your Journey from F1 to H1B.

Although the most challenging part is to find an H1B sponsoring employer for you. UNITED OPT is the Ultimate Solution to find with you H1B Sponsored.

Undoubtedly, for An successful journey of F1 to H1B United OPT can help you out with each and every step. So, give a start to your success journey today.